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Topic Review (Newest First)

02-27-2009 08:21 AM

sailingdog

One point I'd make... there's a big difference between a Gemini 105Mc and a Leopard 40. The first is probably $125,000 in really good shape or $160,000 new, and the other is probably double that. The Gemini will fit into a single 40' slip without much problem and even into some 35' slips—where the Leopard is going to require a double or an end slip.

What is your realistic budget? If you can afford a Leopard 40 in good shape used, you can buy a Gemini 105Mc NEW.

02-27-2009 08:17 AM

PalmettoSailor

First my affiliation with the business I'm about to recommend is nothing more than having spoken with literally dozens of satisfied customers including the owner of the Tartan 40 I crew on, a boat that was purchased with the assistance of the folks at Norton's Yacht Sales in Deltaville. They are a Hunter and Jeanneau dealer. I have no idea what experience they have with cats, but they have a reputation for satisfying their customers so what can it hurt to call them? The owners are Ken and Carolyn Norton Schmalenburger.

I didn't take the advice to choose a broker to work with and treated my purchase more like buying a used car than buying a house. Based on that experience, I definitely think working through a single broker is the way to go assuming they show they are tryng for you business. I think this would be especially true for a long distance deal.

You can probably find a member willing to go take a look at the boat for you and let you know if it is worth your further effort.

Michael

02-27-2009 12:17 AM

twinsdad

Visit some boat shows

I had a similar predicament, although I am in CT, not TX. Cats are not very common here, but that was my interest. I called a couple of the firms that specialize in Catamarans, but they didn't seem that interested. Maybe that's because I was looking for 36' or under.

I found more success at the Annapolis Boat Show. I found that a couple of brokers were willing to take the time to talk with me about my needs and about boats. I really was impressed with the Seawind 1000XL, which I look set to buy new. I really appreciated the time that Steve Marsh of Finish Line spent with me going over the boat, and just talking things through.

I would recommend going with someone who does a large share of their business in catamarans, but you also need someone who will demonstrate initiative on your behalf. They are out there, you just have to find them.

It was my experience that boat broker's are like realtors; both the buying agent and the selling agent have a vested interest in making the buyer pay as much as possible. I was hoping to find a broker that would be more proactive in tracking down boats that we were inteested in, but after dealing with a couple, I found that all they can really do is troll through yachtworld.com and find the same stuff you can find for yourself. That being said, I'm sure there are good brokers out there, but I just haven't found any yet.

02-15-2009 03:24 PM

tmelhiser

Looking for a good boat broker...

We are looking to find a catamaran like the Gemini 105Mc or the Leopard 40.

However, the places where these things are for sale are not exactly next door to Austin, TX.

We are looking for a broker who will represent our interests fairly while looking for our boat.